Will Gater
Astronomer and space expert
Will Gater is an astronomer, author, astrophotographer and former science journalist who works in the UK space sector to promote research, exploration & innovation.
Recent articles by Will Gater
Gallery | Full Moon
Some will tell you a full Moon is the worst time to observe our lunar neighbour, but there's still plenty to see when the Moon is fully illuminated.
100 best stargazing astronomy sights
Our pick of the best things to see in the night sky.
8 lunar features that reveal the history of the Moon
The Moon bears the scars of its long and violent past. Here are 8 features that reflect its extraordinary history, that you can see for yourself.
What the Universe really looks like through a telescope
What can you actually see through a telescope? How does the reality match up with the beautiful astrophotos we see online?
3200 Phaethon, the asteroid that causes the Geminid meteor shower
3200 Phaethon is the unlikely object responsible for the Geminid meteor shower, but relatively little is known about it. Now the asteroid is starting to give up its secrets.
12 sparkling winter star clusters to spot in the night sky
Spot these 12 stellar snowglobes in the winter night sky.
7 winter stars to spot during the darker months
Our pick of the best stars to see in the night sky from November to February.
NASA OSIRIS-REx mission - all you need to know
As scientists await the return of OSIRIS-REx to Earth, we look back on the story of mission’s asteroid sampling and what its cargo of space rocks could tell us.
How to photograph the late summer Milky Way
Celebrate the late summer nights of astrophotography with our beginners' guide to capturing a late-summer Milky Way.
10 targets to see in the night sky in the summer
Discover the best things to see in the summer night sky of the northern hemisphere.
How the JUICE mission will explore Jupiter and its icy moons
JUICE will visit Galilean moons Europa, Callisto and Ganymede, with the latter a particular target for exploration.
Did comets bring life to Earth?
Scientific research has strengthened theories that the ingredients for life could have been brought to Earth by comets.
How long does a comet last, and why do they disintegrate?
What happens when an icy visitor from the outer Solar System breaks apart, and what we can learn from a comet’s spectacular demise.
12 common astrophotography mistakes, and how to avoid them
Common mistakes even experienced photographers make and how to ensure your next imaging session is free of them.
See a planetary parade this weekend
See Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in the early morning sky this weekend until the end of June.
Observe Hubble Space Telescope targets with your own telescope
See some of Hubble's greatest hits through amateur astronomy equipment.
How to observe and photograph lunar ray ejecta systems
The Moon is pockmarked with spectacular splashes from ancient impacts. Discover how to observe and image them.
How to stargaze from a city
It is possible to observe beautiful night-sky objects, even from towns and cities.
Stargazing on the coast: a guide to astronomy by the sea
The coastline can be wonderful place to do both astronomy and astrophotography. Find out how in our guide to stargazing by the sea.
New Horizons | What next for the Kuiper Belt mission?
As the New Horizons spacecraft sails through the Kuiper Belt we investigate how the NASA mission is continuing to study objects it can spy from afar.
What to take on a Highlands astronomy adventure
Scotland’s dark sky sites are some of the best places in Europe to stargaze. Our equipment guide will help you make the most out of an astronomy camping trip
How to install and use Stellarium astronomy software
Find out how to download and use the free planetarium programme Stellarium, from its basic functions to advanced capabilities.
Io: a guide to Jupiter's volcanic moon.
Io is a moon around Jupiter covered in active volcanoes. We've taken a look at what makes this Jovian satellite so special.
Splitting starlight: the science of spectroscopy
Two centuries after Fraunhofer discovered dark lines in the Sun’s spectrum, Will Gater looks at the next generation of spectroscopes.